Improvement in shoe-lasts



WJBMILLS No. 123,116. LAST PtemedJamsoJs-m.

B F191 j 1 W, JB .MILLS 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.`

PatentgilamSO, 1872. I

UNITE STATES PATENT FFIGE.

WILLIAM J. B. MILLS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO DE WITT C. TAYLOR, TRUSTEE, OF NEW YORK CITY.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHOE-LASTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,116, dated January 30, 1872; antedated January 14, 1872.

SPECIFICATION.

I, WILLIAM J. B. MILLs, of the city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvementsin Lasts for Turnround and VVelted Shoes, of which the following' a specilication.

Object and Nature of the Intention.

The object is the holding of the soles securely on the last without the use of tacks While sewing turn-round or pump-sole shoes to avoid the rapid wearing of the last, and also to obviate the necessity of nailing the upper to the inner sole, as is done in machine shoes, thus making it practicable to sew with a machine as in hand-made shoes. The nature of the invention consists mainly in a metallic band connected with and projecting beyond the face of the lastto receive the sole and hold it in position While the upper is being sewed to the same. The last is rabbeted around those parts which are liush with the band, and grooved at its projecting parts to receive the band, so as to be moved outward until the sole is placed in position, and then drawn inward to clasp the sole on the last, there being a screw connected with a longitudinal bar inside of the last and jointed to the band, as hereinafter described, for that purpose, there being a lip around the inner edge of the band, which bears upon a lip of the sole in the clasping operation. Other means may be used for operating the band to bring it into the position to receive the sole and then clasp it upon the last. The band I usually make of a continuous piece of metal. It may, however, be made in links or sections, or in any other convenient manner; or it may be made of any other material of sufficient cohesive strength and firmness. The invention further consists in the construction of the last With a detachable block, which eX-. tends from the rear end to within a short distance of the front end for the double purpose of connecting the movable parts with its interior, and for facilitating the withdrawal of the last from the shoe to prevent the breaking ofthe front and back of the upper. The invention further consists .in providing the rear end of the last and block each with an eye for the insertion of a hook for their withdrawal from the shoe.

In the accompanying drawing, which makes a part of this speciiication, Figure 1 is a plan view of a last in a reversed position with the improvement attached. Fig. 2 is a side view ofthe same in a like position. Fig. 3 is a plan view in the opposite position with the block A removed. Fig. 4, Plate 2, is a plan view of the band B and parts attached. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section at the line x .r of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-section at the line y y of Figs. l and 2, the sole L being in place and clasped tightly upon the last.

Like letters in all the figures indicate the same parts.

A represents the last. B is a metallic band for holding the sole in position. (l is a longitudinal bar connected with the band; and D, a screw for adjusting the band. The last A is lconstructed with rabbets n a between the points l l and l l, where the band is iush with it, and with grooves b b at the projecting parts of the last for the reception of the band. It is provided with pairs of ears, d d and d d, which have a joint connection with the ends of the longitudinal bar G by means of the horizontal rods E E, the rods passing through said ears and the lugs ff, which project from the inner side of the bar. The ears d d in the middle of the band are connected with the bar by means of the rod E', yoke F, and screw G, the latter securing the middle of the yoke to the bar, and the rod connecting the ends of the former to the ears, as represented in the drawing. A is a block, which is separated from the main portion of the last at the line z z to admit of the insertion of the bar C in the Inortise H and its connection with the band B, and also to facilitate the removal of the last, as before specified. The heel part of the last is provided with an eye, g, in the lug lz, for the insertion of a hook to withdraw it from the shoe. The lug I usually project from the band 7, which protects the rear end of the last at the joint z z. The block A has a like band, j', to prevent its rapid wearing. The block Al has also an eye, g', formed by means of the bent wire h', whose ends are connected with the block for its withdrawal from the shoe. The band B and parts attached are shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5.

The Operation.

A reverse motion is given to the screw D until the band B is projected far enough beyond the last to receive the sole L. Then the screw is advanced, its inner end bearing on the Washer M until the continuous lip lc of the band, by bearing on the lip l of the sole, has brought the latter to bear upon the last. The sole is thus held securely in position, and is ready for thesewing bya machine. When the sewing is completed the screw D is slackened. The block A ofthe last is then removed and the last Withdrawn from the shoe by means of a hook inserted in the eye g.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the band B with the last A, when the former has a sliding motion over the last to receive the sole L, and a return motion to clasp it upon the same, substantially as and for the purpose above described.

2. The combination of the longitudinal bar C, having lugs ff, and being provided with the adjusting-screw D, the rods E E and E', yoke F, screw Gpwith the adjustable band B, having ears d d., d d, and d d', the said parts being constructed and arranged, in relation to each other and to the last A, substantially in the manner described, and for the purpose specied.

3. The longitudinal division of the last in line with the bar C, for the connection of the bar with the band B, substantially as described.

4. The construction of the heel parts of the pieces A and Al of the last With eye-pieces h and h', respectively, for facilitating the withdrawal of the same from the shoe, as above specified.

In testimony that the above is my invention I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 27th day of May, 1871.

WVILLIAM J. B. MILLS. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

STEPHEN USTICK,

THOMAS J. BEWLEY. 

